Saeed Alabbar told Big Project ME he will focus on encouraging sustainability in SMEs
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Saeed Alabbar, managing director of AESG, a Dubai-based sustainability and energy consultancy was recently elected chairman of the Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC). In an exclusive interview to Big Project ME, Alabbar reveals his plans for the council and his role there.
“I’m mostly looking to continue the good work the committee has done so far,” he says. “Adnan Sharafi’s role was integral in the initiatives undertaken by the Council. I’m hoping for the same level of cooperation between the board members and participating members as it has been in the past.”
Expanding on the need for partnerships between the council and UAE’s various construction players, Alabbar claims the private sector will be crucial to meet and improve the country’s sustainability measures.
“Working with the private sector continues to hold importance in our plans. Our membership figures have steadily increased year-on-year. Going ahead, I’d like to expand this base and involve more companies into the Emirates GBC’s activities. We will continue our partnership with government bodies, and recently even signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ajman Municipality.
“We’re intent on tying up with academia as well to further our initiatives, and our MoU with the Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai, is a good step ahead in that direction,” he proudly declares.
Alabbar’s greatest challenge, however, will be to embed the concepts of sustainability into the pockets of the country’s construction which employ limited budgets and traditional mindsets.
“This year, we’ll hopefully focus on individually-owned units, most of which are found in the residential sector. Explaining sustainability to large developers – who often invest in the commercial sector – is not too challenging.
“However, attention needs to be driven towards the singular, small-scale developers who may not yet have fully comprehended the functions of sustainable construction and maintenance.”
Evidently, Alabbar is a man on a mission – one he is going to ensure reaches every business in the country, however large or small their operations may be. “Another area I hope to include under the Emirates GBC brand is the SME market in the country – these businesses are what will drive the UAE’s economy, and it is integral that they accept and optimise sustainability in their operations.
“In this regard, I’m hoping options such as discount pricing and extended membership timelines will encourage SMEs to attach with the Emirates GBC,” Alabbar concludes.